Rita Marie (Wefer) Richters Ritterling, was born Oct. 14, 1938, to Laurence and Dorothy (Heidbreder) Wefer in Polk.
She attended Utica High School, graduating in 1955. On Nov. 4, 1956, Rita was united in marriage to Gene Richters at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Utica. She helped Gene with farming and feeding cattle. She also worked at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance doing shorthand and for Richters & Sons. Following Gene’s passing, Rita married Wilmer Ritterling on May 28, 1995. In her free time, she enjoyed cooking, gardening, bowling and doing bookwork. She also enjoyed helping with funeral lunches, butchering chickens and caring for livestock and her pets, especially her dog. Rita passed away Dec. 17, 2023, in Seward, at the age of 85.
She is survived by her children, Michael Richters of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jody (Byron) Wiemer of Utica, and Allen Richters of Beaver Crossing; sister, Joan Wefer of Oskaloosa, Iowa; grandchildren, Briianne (Brian) Imig, Justin (Tracey) Wiemer, Eric Wiemer, Bailey Richters (Aaron Jensen), Garrett Richters (McKenna Gierhan), and Grant Richters (Eliza Timmerman); great grandchildren, Teagen Imig, Toren Imig, Tristen Imig, Lucas Wiemer, Leah Wiemer, Cora Jensen, Devynn Jensen and Mason Potts. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Laurence and Dorothy Wefer; husbands, Gene Richters and Wilmer Ritterling.
Visitation is from 2 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Volzke Funeral Home in Seward with a gathering of family and friends from 6:30 – 8 p.m. The funeral service will be Thursday, Dec. 21, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Utica with committal at the Utica Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Voices of Hope (2545 N St., Lincoln, NE, 68510, or the family's choice. Arangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
